TheReelDeel33

"FlyHigh423"

The concepts of aviation are not to difficult to grasp, but there is a lot of memorization and studying involved. It is also a big deal that a pilot is well rounded, as there are many different skills used in aviation.

The great thing about Kent State is that declaring a degree can make it easy for you to get scholarships if you work hard enough, and if you can get a flying degree for free you can use your own money to pay for the more practical engineering degree.

I'm not established, and I'm only a year further then you are. I'm halfway through my degree and I'm still extremely motivated mostly because I live my life one day at a time. If I was obsessed with the future, I probably wouldn't be doing this. All I know is that most of the time a normal career-oriented adult is awake they are at work... and if you're going to be spending that much of your life doing something it should be something you at least enjoy. That last paragraph wasn't aimed at the original poster of this thread. All he did was ask how hard aviation was, and instead of getting an honest answer he already got a few people skipping his question and going right to "Don't learn how to fly."

On the note of whether or not you should do this however, I will say one thing, it is the worst industry for someone to get into if they are into drugs. Not saying you are, but the username has suggestions of it haha "flyhigh" goes without saying and 423 is close enough to 420 to back that up.

wrxpilot

Agreed. That is exactly the path I took, paid cash for all of my flight training. By the time I jumped into professional aviation, I had no debt.

INTERNET PILOT

To anyone considering going into aviation as a career, I tell them this: Find out what exactly it is about aviation that makes you love it so much, and try your hardest to find some other career that will fulfill that desire. I always hear people say things like "Aviation has always been my passion, I can't see myself doing anything else", but what does that exactly mean? It's especially odd hearing this come from an 18 year old who doesn't even have a private certificate (not necessairly directed at the OP). I like walking my dog and skateboarding, but that doesn't necessairly mean I should try to make dog walking or skateboarding my career.

To answer the OP's question, no. A lot of people out there (I used to be one of them) who want you to think piloting is akin to brain surgery, and that only a small slice of the population has the special breed of talent and smarts required to take on the task. But this couldn't be further from the truth. This is just a ploy to make people think we should be paid $250,000 a year.

A few months ago people were walking into ATP and places like that knowing barely what a propeller is, then coming out 3 months later with a job interview at Pinnacle. And those people did it. They pulled it off. They aren't failing checkrides, or crashing airplanes. They are out there right now as we speak flying the jets (if they're aren't furloughed). I honestly can't think of any other "white collar" career where you can do the same. Heck, there's people out there that go through our training programs for fun. The point I'm making is that it doesn't require much to make it through pilot training.

If all major airlines were to fire every single pilot they have on payroll, then replace all of them with 300 hour pilots straight out of flightschool, the airline would do just as good as it's doing right now safety wise, all with about $100,000,000 a year less in salaries apiece. The only think stopping them from doing this are the unions, which are getting wearker and weaker as time goes on.

atpwannabe

My take on this is a little different. Most, if not all, of my aviation experience is from a airport ops and ramp perspective. Aviation within itself is not a hard vocation. It just depends which aspect of aviation you wish to pursue.

As advised, don't get an aviation degree. It is viewed as a business degree in corporate America. You'd be better off attending a school known for their School of Business or as some have suggested....Engineering....something you mention that you were interested in.

I will say this, the aviation community is small in nature. Meaning that if you get in.....stay in! Do lateral movements if you're able, but stay in. I got out and have caught nothing but pure hell trying to get back in.


atp

FlyHigh423

I really liked your point of view and I agree with you 100%! haha, I dont have a drug problem, never taken any drugs, the "FlyHigh" is a reference to flying in general, and "423" is because I was born on April 23

SkyHigh

Occasionally I am approached by a young person who wants to go into aviation. What do you say other than "its a bad idea now go have fun. we will pick up the pieces later".

SKyhigh

eersfanpilot

Wow! You should work for the CIA. Why are you wasting time in this industry when you could be cracking major code!

OPPS! I said Cracking, you probably know about my crack habit!!!

AtlCSIP

I have an engineering degree. I am also a licensed Professional Engineer in two States, and, in the past, have made 6 figures doing it. I have been involved with engineering since entering engineering school in 1986. That said, I have been involved with aviation for the past 7 years. I have an ATP, fly part-time on-demand Part 135, and have 3 other part-time flying jobs, and are talking to 3 other companies about additional part-time work. I work harder now for less money than I ever did engineering, and wouldn't trade it for the world. I did a few things, though, that many don't do.

First, I paid for all my flight training as I went. I never owed anything for any rating. Second, I paid for college as I went. Took 11 years, but I never owed anything when I graduated. Third, I have always lived very frugally (no car payments, no credit cards, small 15 yr. mortgage), so I could take a 60% pay cut without changing my standard of living much, just changing my retirement investing. Since I don't really plan to retire in the typical sence (I actually like working), I'm not too concerned about having to slow my retirement investments.

If you really love aviation, DO IT! And do it better than anyone else! It will be worth it in the end!

Just my $.02!

Led Zep

Your degree is in engineering, but they should also give you an honorary degree in finance!

With your views on money and how to manage it, I would say you have much more than $.02.

wrxpilot

100% spot on advice. I paid off my car and credit cards before getting into aviation, and I also live fairly frugally (but I still have some fun). I actually save MORE money now than I did with my engineering salary, even though I'm still making considerably less as a pilot. I love aviation, and I don't ever see myself going back to full time engineering unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

So are you still doing some engineering work part time? I wish I could figure out a way to keep my hand in it, but so far it's been tough with my schedule (just got back from a 15 day trip). I took my EIT/FE a few years ago, but I would I had my PE, it'd probably make it a lot easier to do something like p/t consulting.